San Francisco 49ers’ Jeremy Kerley (17) celebrates after making a reception against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

As former 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin scored the first touchdown on Thanksgiving Day for the Detroit Lions, his former team has seen Jeremy Kerley replace Boldin as their go-to threat as they head into Miami on Sunday.

Kerley arguably has been the 49ers offense’s biggest bright spot in a season marred by a nine-game losing streak. Ironically, Kerley came to the 49ers in Aug. 28 trade from the Lions for guard Brandon Thomas, who’s spent all season on their practice squad.

Although Thomas was a 2014 third-round draft bust, acquiring Kerly to essentially replace an injured Bruce Ellington as the slot receiver and return specialist is a move that reflects well upon embattled general manager Trent Baalke.

Kerley had no receptions on six targets in Sunday’s 30-17 loss to the New England Patriots, perhaps illustrating just how valuable he’s become as the 49ers offense’s go-to receiver.

“He’s obviously a very talented player and we’re really happy we had the opportunity to get Kerls as late as we did,” Kelly said Thursday on a media conference call. “He’s extremely smart and really knows how to play the wide receiver position and knows the little ins and outs and tricks of the trade of being a veteran.”

Kerley leads the 49ers with 40 receptions for 424 yards (10.6 average) with three touchdowns. He is also averaging 8.6 yards per punt return (15 for 129 yards, with one fumble).

Added Kelly: “He has as good of hands as anybody I’ve been around, in watching him how confident as he is catching punts and watching as confident as he is when the quarterback is throwing to him that he’s going to come up with the catch.”

The player who actually took Boldin’s position in the lineup is Quinton Patton, who has no touchdowns on 30 catches for 362 yards. Torrey Smith has 17 catches for 243 yards and two touchdowns; he was limited in Thursday’s practice as he hopes to return from Sunday’s absence, caused by a shoulder injury.

— Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, despite missing one game with a foot injury, has played the fourth-most snaps (617) of any defensive lineman in the league, according to footballoutsiders.com.

“We’re aware of how many snaps everybody has,” Kelly said. “We monitor our players daily on where they are from a health standpoint. How much they play, how much distance they travel. Overall, we just have to do a better job on third down and get him off the field and not playing as many times.”

Buckner, this year’s top draft pick, said last week that he’s using a positive mindset to offset any fatigue about hitting the so-called “rookie wall.”

— Cornerback Jimmie Ward practiced in a limited fashion as he hopes to gain medical clearance from the league’s concussion protocol.

— Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (ankle) has practiced all week but he could be a game-time decision on whether he plays for the first time in a month, Kelly said.

— The 49ers leave Friday for a 10-day, extended road trip. Between their games at Miami and Chicago, they’ll spend next week in Orlando, practicing at the University of Central Florida and doing so at the same time they would if they were home in Santa Clara (approximately 1:30 p.m. ET). What are the benefits the 49ers are hoping to accomplish other than saving travel time? “That’s what we’re hoping to find. Really it’s not that deep,” Kelly responded.

— Jaquiski Tartt has had an encouraging week of practice as he replaced injured safety Eric Reid. “He’s practiced the same way he has every other week: he is in tune with the game plan and works extremely hard out there,” Kelly said.

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